The greenhouse that became a conference centre

International conference organisers are looking for venues that are scalable, easily accessible, sustainable and yet retain a human dimension. On the former Floriade site, which forms the green heart of the Amsterdam region, all these qualities converge in a conference and exhibition centre that offers a wealth of options in terms of layout, programming and atmosphere.

Sustainability is embedded in the DNA of EXPO Greater Amsterdam. The venue was originally built as a glass greenhouse for the international horticultural exposition Floriade. Its current owner Libéma subsequently transformed it into a fully-fledged conference and exhibition centre with 24,000 square metres of indoor space and more than 21,000 m² of outdoor space. 

The complex is situated in a green oasis amid the dynamic surroundings of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the capital city Amsterdam.

Its greenhouse origins still define the experience. The building benefits from abundant natural light, an industrial character and large, open floor surfaces that lend themselves equally to classic conference configurations and experimental formats. The venue offers fully equipped conference facilities, without the feeling of being shut inside a black box.

Scalability and separate zones

At the front of the complex, a purpose-built conference centre accommodates plenary gatherings of up to approximately 450 delegates. The walls are fully finished with clay, a natural material that creates an organic atmosphere and contributes to a pleasant indoor climate.

The true strength, however, lies in its seamless connection to the four exhibition halls, enabling conferences to scale up to 15,000 participants.

As accessible as an airport, as green as a park

Recent investment has enabled further compartmentalisation. Two halls can be partitioned at their midpoints, effectively creating six separate spaces. This makes it possible to programme parallel tracks, sub-plenary rooms, poster areas and expo zones close to one another, without losing overview. A second entrance has also been realised, allowing two events to take place in complete separation.

A striking illustration of the venue’s capacity is a conference held in a single plenary configuration for 5,500 delegates, staged entirely within one hall as if it were an arena. An imposing LED screen one hundred metres wide filled an entire wall, and the speakers stood on mobile stage sections that moved through the hall, maintaining contact with all participants throughout. 

Beyond the traditional plenary hall

A growing number of international conferences are moving away from the traditional plenary hall with rows of seats. Organisers are looking for open settings with informal seating, studio corners and semi-open breakout rooms where participants can engage without having to sit in a formal arrangement.

EXPO Greater Amsterdam responds to this trend by dividing large halls into multiple settings, each with their own screens, so that the same programme can be followed throughout the space. Participants can stand, walk, work at high tables or take a seat in the stands and still follow the same keynote. This approach is now deployed on a multi-year basis for a corporate client, precisely because this format better aligns with current hybrid working and learning styles.

Creative indoor-outdoor combinations

The catering offer complements this festival-style setting using food trucks that can be deployed both indoors and outdoors.The generous outdoor green space invites active use. Beyond catering, it is also used for outdoor sessions, as an exhibition plaza or for informal networking. 

 With stretch tents and the option of the indoor space as a backup, it is possible to design an inspiring mix of indoor and outdoor activities that can be carried out even in poor weather.

The in-house catering team also provides dinners on site, and where a fully vegan menu is required, this can readily be arranged.

An internationally connected hub

For international conferences, EXPO Greater Amsterdam is an exceptionally well-connected venue. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is nearby, renowned for its extensive network of international flight connections, with good bus and shuttle links between the airport, hotels and the venue.

Business travellers regularly fly in in the morning, leave their luggage at the cloakroom, attend the conference and fly home the same evening. For multi-day conferences, there is substantial hotel capacity in the immediate vicinity, and Amsterdam city centre is just fifteen minutes away.

For those arriving by car, ample parking is available directly at the entrance, with further capacity available through the surrounding Schiphol parking facilities.

Gold sustainability certification

The venue’s sustainable DNA has already been touched upon. The circular reuse of the former exhibition greenhouse set the tone. But sustainability has since been pursued consistently across every aspect of the operation.

The glass building is fitted with solar panels across a very large surface area, some of which allow light to pass through. This preserves the transparent character of the building while the venue generates its own energy. LED lighting reduces energy consumption, and waste separation enhances recycling opportunities.

EXPO Greater Amsterdam gives an exhibition something rare: the freedom to grow. From an intimate product launch to a trade fair with thousands of visitors, the space adapts.

EXPO Greater Amsterdam holds a Green Key Gold certification, confirming that the venue meets a comprehensive set of sustainability criteria.

The in-house catering operation shares this philosophy, working extensively with local producers. The neighbourhood baker, for instance, supplies exceptionally fine biscuits. With many suppliers located nearby, transport distances are minimal and deliveries can often be made by electric vehicle.

For international associations that apply reporting frameworks for CO₂ footprint and CSRD compliance, this combination of formal certification and practical measures makes it considerably easier to demonstrably achieve sustainability targets.

Hospitality as an added dimension

Venue owner and operator Libéma, which manages several exhibition and conference centres across the Netherlands, consistently adds an extra dimension to the logistical qualities of its venues. 

Hospitality is a core value, and the organisation positions itself explicitly as a facilities partner. It assigns dedicated account and project managers to each client, serving as recognisable points of contact for all queries. Both small and large events receive full attention, whether it is a meeting of fifty people or a conference with thousands of delegates. An accessible, personal approach takes precedence over an anonymous, heavily protocol-driven service culture.

For international conferences that continuously move between countries and venues, this approach reduces risk. An experienced team with in-depth knowledge of the venue is on hand to think along on routing, crowd flows, safety plans, suppliers, accommodation and social programmes.

With or without stimulation

All of this within a conference ecosystem that has grown up on and around a site originally developed for a temporary world horticultural exposition, conveniently located between an international airport and a capital city. 

After a day full of impressions, delegates can quite literally step into nature for a walk. Those who want more stimulation are in the heart of Amsterdam in moments. And those looking for efficiency can be home within a single day, but only after a conference filled with natural light and original formats.  

www.expogreateramsterdam.com